Replacing the timing belt on the Prado

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 series SUVs are fourth-generation vehicles. The weak point of the 3-liter turbocharged diesel is the timing belt drive. Its violation leads to engine failure. Timely replacement of the timing belt on a diesel Prado 150 3 liter can save you from expensive engine repairs.

Timing drive Prado 150

Toyota equipped the Land Cruiser (LC) Prado 150 (diesel, petrol) with a timing belt drive with balancer shafts. The camshaft is driven by a drive pulley. The advantage over the chain mechanism is the low cost of replacement and maintenance.

When to change the timing belt

In the manual for the technical operation of the Prado 150 3 liter diesel engine, the timing belt resource is 120 thousand kilometers. Information that the time has come to change it is reflected on the dashboard (the corresponding sign is highlighted).

Replacing the timing belt Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 (diesel):

• worn surface (cracks, delaminations),
• oil brands

To avoid the risk of breakage, the element must be changed after 100 thousand km, original spare parts must be used.

Belt replacement instructions

Car services offer a service for replacing the transmission part and roller. The cost of work is 3000-5000 rubles. The price of a repair kit for LC Prado is from 6 to 7 thousand rubles. Includes one pulley, one hydraulic tensioner, one idler bolt, one toothed belt. You can buy parts yourself.

Replacing the timing belt Prado 150 (diesel) with your own hands (removing and installing spare parts) takes a little time. It will take 1-1,5 hours to change the position:

1. Drain the coolant. Remove the bumper cover (lower) and crankcase protection.
2. Unscrew the fan diffuser. To do this, unscrew the 3 bolts and remove the power steering fluid reservoir. Disconnect the radiator hoses (bypass system). Remove the expansion tank (fastened with two bolts). Loosen the nuts holding the fan. Remove the drive part of hinged mechanisms. Remove the diffuser mounting bolts and fan nuts. Remove elements (diffuser, fan).
3. Remove the fan pulley.
4. Remove the timing belt drive cover. Remove the clamps from the coolant hose and wiring. Unscrew the cover (held by 6 screws).
5. Remove the drive belt. It is necessary to turn the crankshaft clockwise until the alignment marks on the Prado 150 are aligned. Remove the tensioner and belt. In order not to damage the pistons and valves when turning the camshaft with the part removed, you need to turn the crankshaft in the opposite direction (counterclockwise) 90 degrees.
6. Fill with coolant. Check for leaks.
7. Timing belt drive installation (Prado):

• Align the marks when installing. Using a vise, insert the piston (part of the tensioner structure) into the housing until their holes line up. While squeezing the piston, keep the tensioner in a vertical position. Insert a pin (diameter 1,27 mm) into the hole. Move the roller to the belt and put the tensioner on the engine. Tighten the fixing screws. Remove the tensioner retainer (rod). Make 2 full turns of the crankshaft (360 + 360 degrees), check the alignment of the marks.
• Install the belt cover. Tighten the mounting bolts (6 pcs.). Install the cable bracket. Attach the coolant hose.
• Install the fan pin and diffuser.
• Connect the oil cooler pipes (on models with automatic transmission).

On the dashboard, you can set up information about at what mileage Prado 150 (diesel) the timing belt must be replaced, this will be necessary.

Information on the screen about the need to replace the timing is not automatically reset. Removal is done manually.

Process:

1. Turn on the ignition.
2. On the screen, use the button to switch to odometer (ODO) mode.
3. Hold down the button.
4. Switch off ignition for 5 sec.
5. Turn on the ignition while holding the button.
6. After updating the system, release and press the ODO button (the number 15 will appear, which means 150 km).
7. Short press to set the desired numbers.

After a few seconds, the timing system will confirm the operation.

The car owner must monitor the serviceability of the drive belt. It must be changed according to the rules. The wear of the element will lead to the breakdown of the SUV (the pistons and valves are deformed when approached).